Program timing switch assembly



Feb. 17, 1959 1T 2,874,239

PROGRAM TIMING SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed June 27. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Fla-.1.

llllllllllll] 19 @"kb I INVENTOR. F2EDEQ\C.K DOMEI'T ATTO2UEY$ Feb 1?,1959 F DONE1T Q 2,874,239

PROGRAM TIMING SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ro.129 I I!!! IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Hill!" 1 I I l v -III Illllllll III IIIIIIIII II INVENTOR. lizeoemam Dower? ATTOQHEY$ United States PatentPROGRAM TIMING SWITCH ASSEMBLY Frederick Doneit, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Application June 27, 1958, Serial No. 745,189

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) This invention relates to timing switch devices,and more particularly to a program switch assembly adapted to providetimed opening or closing of different electrical circuits in accordancewith a predetermined sequence or program.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved timingswitch assembly which is simple in construction, which is easy to adjustfor a desired program of operation, and which is dependable inoperation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved programtiming switch assembly which involves inexpensive components, which isrelatively compact in size, and which is arranged so that it willprovide a predetermined timed sequence of closing or opening ofrespective electrical circuits and being arranged so that it can beeasily readjusted to change the sequence of circuit operationscontrolled thereby.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken throughan improved programming switch assembly constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional View taken on the line 22 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional detail view taken onthe line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the cam elementsemployed in the programming switch assembly of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of another type of cam elementemployed in the programming switch assembly of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 7 is an. enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a stillfurther type of cam element employed in the programming switch assemblyof Figures .1 to 4 and illustrating the manner in which the cam elementis retained in a cam groove of the drum member of the assembly.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates a program switchassembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The switch assembly 11 comprises a base member 12 of any suitable shape,for example, of rectangular shape, on which is mounted a constant speedtiming motor 13 which is energized from a suitable power source, notshown. The timing motor 13 is provided with the output shaft 14 on whichis secured a gear 15.

Mounted on the base 12 are a pair of upstanding support blocks 16 and 17on which are secured the respective axially aligned journal bearings 18and 19. Rotatably mounted in the bearing 18 is a first shaft element 20formed with a squared axially extending socket or recess 21 whichslidably and non-rotatively receives 33 and received in the grooves 36.

one end portion of a square shaft 22. The squared shaft 22 extendsthrough and is secured rigidly in a collar element 23 which is rotatablymounted in the journal bearing 19. Secured to the end of the squaredshaft 22 is a relatively large gear 24 which is drivingly coupled -tothe relatively small driving gear 15 by an idler gear 25. The idler gear25 is rotatably mounted on a shaft element 26 secured to the end portionof an arm 27. Arm 27 is formed integrally with a rotatable collar member28 mounted on the sleeve-like collar element 23. Integrally formed withthe rotatable collar element 28 is another arm 29 which extendsdownwardly and laterally, as shown in Figure 2, and is formed at itsouter portion with an arcuate slot 30 concentric with shaft 22. Rigidlysecured to the block 17 is a stud member 31 which extends through thearcuate slot 30 and which is provided with a wing nut 32 which isemployed normally to tightly clamp the arm 29 to the block 17 to retainthe idler gear 25 in meshing relationship with gears 24 and 15. However,by loosening the wing nut 32, the arm 29 may be released so that it maybe at times rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed inFigure 2, to lift the idler gear 25 relative to the gear 15, whereby touncouple the large gear 24 from the driving gear 15, so that the devicemay be manually rotated independently of the timing motor 13.

Designated generally at 33 is a drum member which is mounted on thesquare shaft 22 and which is defined by a plurality of alternating discmembers 34 and 35 secured on the shaft member, the disc member 34 beingslightly larger in diameter than the disc member 35, whereby to define aplurality of peripheral grooves 36. on the drum member 33. Designated at37 is an elongated, generally U-shaped bracket member which is securedon base 12 laterally adjacent to and parallel to the drum member 33.Mounted in the bracket member 37 are respective micro switches 38, saidmicro switches being located substantially in the same transversevertical planes as the respective grooves 36 and being provided withoperating arms 39 having respective rollers 40 journaled thereto andprojecting into the respective peripheral grooves 36 of drum member 33.The arms 39 comprise resilient leaf spring members which engagerespective switch-actuating plunger elements 41, as shown in Figure 2,the plunger elements 41 being pushed inwardly, namely, to the left, asviewed in Figure 2, responsive to the fiexure of the upper portions ofthe arms 39, namely, by movement of the rollers 40 to the left, asviewed in Figure 2. The micro switches 38 are suitably connected inrespective circuits to be controlled by the device and to be opened orclosed in a predetermined timed sequence and in accordance with adesired program.

Designated at 42 are respective elastic bands, for example, rubberbands, surrounding the drum member Respective cam members are disposedin the grooves 36, said cam members being placed beneath the elasticbands 42 and defining cam projections which are engagcable with therespective rollers 40 associated with the micro switches 38 to actuatethe micro switches responsive to rotation of the drum member 33 by thetiming motor 13. Thus, the cam member 43 shown in Figure 5 is one typeof element which may be employed for this purpose, said cam member beingof arcuate shape and being formed with a depending arcuate rib element44 engageable in a groove 36 and being further formed with an outerarcuate groove 45 extending along its length and adapted to receive theassociated elastic band 42, whereby the element 43 is secured in itsgroove 36 but may be adjusted peripherally around the groove inaccordance with a desired programming schedule set up for closing thecircuit in which the micro switch 38 associated with said groove isconnected. A shown in Figure 4, a plurality of cam elements 43 may bedisposed in succession in the groove 36 so as to define a relativelyelongated projection, including the portion of the elastic band 42extending between a pair of spaced successive cam elements 43. Thus, asshown in Figure 4, the roller 40 associated with the cam groove 36 isflexed not onlywhen it engages the portion of elastic band 42 disposedin the grooves 45 of the cam element 43 but is maintained flexed whileit engages the intervening portion of elastic band 42 between a pair ofspaced cam elements 43, whereby to provide a sustained period of closure(or opening) of the associated micro switch 38, as compared with thenormal position of said roller 4tlwhich occurs in the absence of a camelement 43 in the groove. 7 v I Figure 6 illustrates another type of camelement, designated at 47-, which may be employed in the grooves 36, themember 47 comprising a generally arcuate body having a depending arcuaterib 48 slidably engageable in a groove36 and being formed with an outergroove 49 adapted to receive an elastic band 42. The body of the member47 is formed adjacent one end with a transversely extending slot 50having a downwardly inclined inside surface 51, whereby the elastic bandmay be engaged through the slot 50 in the manner illustrated in Figure4, whereby to depress the band adjacent the end of the cam member 47 sothat the band will not actuate the associated micro switch in theportion of the groove rearwardly adjacent the cam member 47, even whenanother cam member is employed a short distance beyond the first cammember 47, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, the elastic band 42 is engagedthrough the slots 50 of a pair of successive cam members 47 so that theportion intervening between the cam members will be maintainedsubstantially inthe bottom of the associated groove 36, as shown inFigure 4, and will not cause op-' erative flexure of the micro switcharm 39 associated with the cam groove 36.

As in the case of the previously described cam member 43, the elasticband 42 serves to retain the slotted cam members 47 in adjustedpositions in their grooves 36.

In the case of the cam members 43 and 47, the

arcuate outer surfaces of their associated grooves 45:

and 49 are of substantial length, whereby to provide sustained operationof the associated micro switch 38. Where,

momentary operation of the micro switch is desired, a cam element suchas that shown in Figure 7 may be employed. The cam element illustratedin Figure 7 and designated generally at 60 comprises a generallywedgeshaped body in the form of a triangular prism and formed with agroove 61 extending parallel to its arcuate base portion 62 and being ofsuflicient depth to receive substantially the entire width of theassociated elastic band,

42. The base portion 62 of the cam member 60 is engaged in theperipheral cam groove 36 at a desired position therein and the elasticband 42 is engaged in the retaining groove 61 in the manner illustratedin Figure 7 to maintain the cam element 60 in its adjusted position inthe groove 36. Thus, when the crest portion of the prismatic cam element60 engages the roller 40 of the associated switch arm 39, the switch armis flexed for a very short period of time, providing momentary operationof the associated micro switch 38.

The disc members 34 defining the outer margins of the respective grooves36 are suitably inscribed with time scales 65, or other suitablycalibrated scales, so that the various cam elements employed in thegrooves may be set at desired positions along said grooves, wehereby toprovide the desired sequence of operations of the associated microswitches 38 as the drum member 33 is rotated at a timed rate by thetiming-motor 13. As shown in Figure 1, the respective micro switches 38are accurately positioned in transverse alignment with their associatedcam grooves 36, the micro switches being supported on a pair ofhorizontally extending, vertically spaced parallel rods 67 and 68secured between the upstanding vertical arms of the U-shaped bracketmember 37. Micro switches 38 are clamped to the rods 67 and 68 intransverse alignment with their assooiated grooves 36 and with theirroller elements 40 normally projecting into the grooves, as will beapparent from Figure 3.

To set up a desired program, the respective cam elements required,namely, cam elements 43, 47 or 60, are disposed in the peripheralgrooves 36 in which they are to operate and are engaged by the elasticbands 42 in the manner previously described, whereby the cam elementsare retained in adjusted positions in the grooves by the elastic bands.The positions are indicated by the associated scales 65 providedadjacent the grooves. The drum member 33 may be set to its startingposition by elevating the idler gear 25 in the manner previouslydescribed, whereby the drum member may be rotated 1 independently of thetiming motor 13 to said starting position, after which the idler gear 25may be lowered to mesh with the driving gear 15, whereupon the wing nut32 may be tightened to lock the arm 29 and to maintain the idler gear 25in its coupling position between gears 24 and 15. Thereafter, the timingmotor 13'rotates the drum member 33 at a timed rate and provides thedesired program of opening or closing the electrical circuitstassociatedwith the respective micro switches 38.

A suitable cover 70 is removably secured on the base 12 so as to protectthe working elements of the program switch assembly. However, thehousing 70 may be easily removed whenever it is desired to readjust saidswitch assembly. 7,

The programming switch assembly above described is of particular use forautomatically operating a plurality of electrical devices in a desiredpredetermined sequence of operations, for example, for opening upsolenoid valves to control the diflerent sprays of an ornamental waterfountain, and to simultaneously control various lighting circuitsemployed to illuminate the fountain so as to provide difierentdecorative effects. The program timing switch assembly may also beemployed for various other purposes, such as for providing sequentialcolored light effects for theaters, restaurants, display windows, orother public places or for performing various types of operations, suchas energizing household appliances at desired times and for turning offthe appliances at other desired times.

As Will be readily apparent, none of the exposed portions of theapparatus carry current, and therefore the device is safe to handle.Furthermore, all cam adjustments and program changes can be accomplishedwithout requiring the use of any tools whatsoever.

As will be further apparent, the gears 15 and 24 provide a definiteratio therebetween, whereby the drum member 33 rotates at a speeddetermined by said ratio. The speed of rotation of said drum member maybe changed by providing gears having different ratios.

While a specific embodiment of an improved timing switch assembly hasbeen disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood thatvarious modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitationsbe placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary member drivinglycoupled to said timing motor, a drum member on said rotarymember, saiddrum memberbeing formed with a peripheral groove, a cam element seatedin said groove, an elastic band disposed in said groove and overlyingsaid cam element to hold said cam 'ele ment in the groove, anda-micro-s'witch mounted adjacent said groove, said micro switch havingan operating ale-- ment in transverse alignment with the elastic bandand at times operatively engageable by the portion of said elastic bandoverlying the cam element responsive to rotation of said rotary memberby said timing motor.

2. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary member drivingly coupledto said timing motor, a drum memher on said rotary member, saiddrum'member being formed with a peripheral groove, an arcuate camelement seated in said groove, said cam element being slidablyadjustable in said groove and being formed with an outer groove parallelto the first-named groove, an elastic band disposed in said first-namedgroove and the groove of the cam element to hold said cam element in thefirstnamed groove, and a micro switch mounted adjacent said first-namedgroove, said micro switch having an operating element in transversealignment with the elastic band and at times operatively engageable bythe portion of said elastic band engaged in the groove in the camelement responsive to rotation of said rotary member by said timingmotor.

3. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary member drivingly coupledto said timing motor, a drum member on said rotary member, said drummember being formed with a peripheral groove, a cam element seated insaid groove, an elastic band disposed in said groove and overlying saidcam element to hold said cam element in the groove, and a micro switchmounted adjacent said groove, said micro switch having an operatingelement in transverse alignment with the elastic band and at timesoperatively engageable by the portion of said elastic band overlying thecam element responsive to rotation of said rotary member by said timingmotor, said cam element being formed at one end portion thereof with atransverse slot having a downwardly inclined inside surface, saidelastic band extending through said slot and being depressed therebyadjacent said end portion of the cam element.

4. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary member drivingly coupledto said timing motor, a drum member on said rotary member, said drummember being formed with a peripheral groove, an arcuate cam elementseated in said groove, said cam element being slidably adjustable insaid groove and being formed with an outer groove parallel to thefirst-named groove, an elastic band disposed in said first-named grooveand the'groove in the cam element to hold said cam element in thefirstnamed groove, said cam element being formed at one end portionthereof with a transverse slot having a downwardly inclined insidesurface, said elastic band extending through said slot and beingdepressed thereby adjacent said end portion of the cam element, and amicro switch mounted adjacent said first-named groove, said micro switchhaving an operating element in transverse alignment With the elasticband and at times operatively engageable by the portion of said elasticband engaged in the groove in the cam element responsive to rotation ofsaid rotary member by said timing motor.

5. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary member drivingly coupledto said timing motor, a drum member on said rotary member, said drummember being formed with a peripheral groove, an arcuate cam elementseated in said groove, said cam element being slidably adjustable insaid groove and being formed with an outer groove parallel to thefirst-named groove, an elastic band disposed in said first-named grooveand the groove in the cam element to hold said cam element in thefirst-named groove, said cam element being formed at one end portionthereof with a transverse slot having a downwardly inclined insidesurface, said elastic band extending through said slot and beingdepressed thereby adjacent said end portion of the cam element, a microswitch mounted adjacent said first-named groove, said micro switchhaving an operating element in transverse alignment with the elasticband and at times operatively engageable by the portion of said elasticband engaged in the groove in the cam element responsive to rotation ofsaid rotary member by said timing motor, and a time scale inscribed onthe periphery of said drum member adjacent said first-named groove.

6. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary drum member drivinglycoupled to said motor, said drum member being formed with a peripheralgroove, a cam member adjustably positioned in said groove, and anelastic band received in said groove and engaging said cam member tohold same in said groove, and a micro switch mounted adjacent said drummember and having an operating element in transverse alignment with theelastic band and extending adjacent said groove in a. position to engagethe band and to be actuated at times by the cam member responsive torotation of said drum member.

7. In a timing switch, a timing motor, a rotary drum member drivinglycoupled to said motor, said drum member being formed With a peripheralgroove, a cam member adjustably positioned in said groove, said cammember being formed with an outer groove parallel to the first-namedgroove, an elastic band received in said first-named groove and saidouter groove and maintaining said cam member in adjusted position insaid firstnamed groove, and a micro switch mounted adjacent said drummember and having an operating element in transverse alignment with theelastic band and extending adja cent said first-named groove in aposition to engage the band and to be actuated at times by the cammember responsive to rotation of said drum member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS728,944 Levy May 26, 1903 1,355,829 Ford Oct. 19, 1920 1,856,832Halvorson May 3, 1932 2,194,311 Leonard Mar. 19, 1940 2,260,980 NewellOct. 28, 1941

